Sunderland 0-1 Liverpool Verdict: Jurgen Klopp's side digs in for Happy New Year

Liverpool manager shows his pragmatic side in Stadium of Light victory

SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 30: Jurgen Klopp, manager of Liverpool attempts to control the ball for Philippe Coutinho of Liverpool during the Barclays Premier League match between Sunderland and Liverpool at Stadium of Light on December 30, 2015 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

In keeping with a turbulent year for Liverpool the final instalment of 2015 proved to be an almighty struggle.

Jurgen Klopp's men made horrendously hard work of piling on the misery for lowly Sunderland.

Quality was in short supply but a scrappy triumph at the Stadium of Light did at least point to a welcome shift in mentality heading into 2016.

Too often over the past 12 months Liverpool have wilted when faced with this type of challenge against limited opposition. This group of players have stood accused of lacking both physical and mental toughness.

But having demanded a show of fight in the North East, Klopp got his wish as the Reds dug deep to grind out a win which lifts them up to seventh place and within five points of the Champions League spot they covet.

It was certainly a world away from the insipid manner in which they meekly accepted their fate on the road in their two previous away games at Newcastle and Watford.

Having thrilled supporters by the ruthless manner in which Liverpool dismantled Chelsea, Manchester City and Southampton earlier in his reign, Klopp has shown a more pragmatic side to his nature over the gruelling festive season.

SUNDERLAND, UNITED KINGDOM - DECEMBER 30 : Jurgen Klopp manager of Liverpool meets Sam Allardyce before the Barclays Premier League match between Sunderland and Liverpool at the Stadium of Light on December 30, 2015 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Andrew Powell/ LiverpoolFC via Getty Images)

The German wants points rather than plaudits. Having been guilty of trying to over-play in difficult conditions during the dismal setback at Vicarage Road, Klopp has since set Liverpool up to be more compact and more direct.

The result has been six points out of six and two successive clean sheets with talk of defensive deficiencies silenced.

Dejan Lovren's upturn in form continued unabated against the Black Cats with another dominant display. The £20million Croatian centre-back, who endured such a torrid start to his Anfield career, now looks the part.

The pressure has been lifted off his broad shoulders and he's playing with a swagger.

The margin of victory should have been much greater in the North East but the Reds' failure to add to Christian Benteke's cool finish early in the second half left the travelling Kop on tenterhooks until the bitter end.

Benteke's night epitomised Liverpool's all-round performance. There was plenty wrong with it as he fluffed the opportunity to add to his account but ultimately he did enough as Klopp's men got the job done.

Patience is required as Benteke makes the required adjustments and in the continued absence of Daniel Sturridge and Divock Origi he should get the kind of extended run that he's been denied since his £32.5million summer move from Aston Villa.

Seven goals in his first 13 starts for the club isn't a bad base for the big Belgian frontman to build on.

Sunderland's Yann M'Vila slides in on Liverpool's Jordan Henderson during the Barclays Premier League match at the Stadium of Light, Sunderland. Owen Humphreys/PA Wire.

A bigger concern for Liverpool was the sight of captain Jordan Henderson being forced off in the second half as the pain from his heel problem proved too great.

In time his condition will be cured but in the short-term it needs to be managed and if he's sidelined for Saturday's tricky trip to West Ham he will be sorely missed.

Reinforcements are a must in January.

Klopp's squad has been severely depleted by injuries and the bench at the Stadium of Light showed how stretched the Reds currently are. Reinforcements are a must in January.

There was plenty of perspiration but precious little inspiration from Liverpool during a largely uneventful opening 45 minutes.

Sunderland were set up simply to contain as they got men behind the ball and challenged the Reds to break them down.

Worryingly, considering the Black Cats had shipped seven goals in their their two previous defeats to Arsenal and Manchester City the hosts endured few scares.

Liverpool dominated possession but did precious little with it as they lacked guile and invention in the final third. Their desire to get the ball forward early on occasions was understandable in a bid to get in behind Sam Allardyce's men but too often their distribution was wayward.

SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 30: Christian Benteke of Liverpool celebrates with team-mate Adam Lallana of Liverpool after scoring the opening goal as Sunderland players show their dejection during the Barclays Premier League match between Sunderland and Liverpool at Stadium of Light on December 30, 2015 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Benteke should have been licking his lips at the prospect of locking horns with Sebastian Coates and Wes Brown but the big frontman, recalled at the expense of the injured Origi, made little impression. Admittedly, the service into him was virtually non-existent but once again he was too static and didn't get in behind Sunderland's backline.

Philippe Coutinho repeatedly failed to hit the target after weaving his way into some promising positions, while fellow countryman Roberto Firmino showcased his tendency to go from the ridiculous to the sublime and then quickly back again.

Coutinho pounced on Coates' mistake and released Firmino early on but the Brazilian's first touch was horrible.

Firmino may want to start wearing ear plugs

Firmino may want to start wearing ear plugs considering the repeated rollickings dished out to him by Klopp from the touchline but the manager continues to persevere with him.

The former Hoffenheim attacker showed glimpses of why. Midway through the first half he expertly got away from Yann M'Vila and unleashed a thunderous right-footer which was brilliantly tipped on to the post by Vito Mannone.

Sunderland were largely camped inside their own half but when they did counter attack they were signs of encouragement for them.

The Reds' problems were of their own making as Mamadou Sakho dived into tackles recklessly and gave away cheap free-kicks. To his relief Adam Johnson ballooned high over the bar.

After Jermain Defoe had got away from Sakho, Simon Mignolet came to the rescue. There was another let-off when Fabio Borini fired narrowly wide against his former club. To his credit, Sakho settled and was much improved after the interval.

Clyne has been ever present for the Reds in the Premier League since his £12.5million summer move from Southampton and he has looked worth every penny.

SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 30: Nathaniel Clyne of Liverpool battles for the ball with Fabio Borini of Sunderland during the Barclays Premier League match between Sunderland and Liverpool at Stadium of Light on December 30, 2015 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

This was another highly accomplished display from the England right-back, who defended solidly and provided real attacking width as he burst beyond Adam Lallana.

It was Clyne's cross which picked out Firmino, whose header was parried to safety by Mannone.

Clyne was also involved as the Reds caught Sunderland cold 22 seconds into the second half. His low cross was touched on by Lallana and Benteke pounced to tuck it away.

It was his sixth goal in seven league appearances against the Black Cats.

Once in front, the outcome rarely looked in any doubt. Able to pick the hosts off on the counter, Coutinho, Emre Can, substitute Jordon Ibe and Benteke all spurned chances to kill the game off.

It mattered little. A rollercoaster 2015 for the Reds, which began with a spirited revival, descended into a full blown crisis under Brendan Rodgers and led to Klopp riding to the rescue, finished on a scrappy high.

There is much work to be done but with Klopp at the helm the coming 12 months promises to be considerably calmer.